Marking devices



Dec. 25, 1956 M. HIRSCHEY 2,775,192

MARKING DEVICES Filed May 21, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR. Mucom Mesa/EM T (XWM7 ATTORNEM 1956 M. HIRSCHEY 2,775,192

MARKING DEVICES Filed May 21, I953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. #44 C01. H RSCIIEK BY? Gnu,

ZTTOR/VEK MARKING DEVICES Malcolm Hirschey, Woodside, N. Y., assignor to Adolph (otischo, lnc., Hillside, N. L, a corporation of New Application May 21, 1953, Serial No. 356,375

2 Claims. (Cl. 10135) The present invention relates generally to marking devices, and is particularly directed to a device for automatically marking the front wall and a side wall of each of a series of successive boxes or containers moving along a conveyor.

It is generally desirable to apply markings to more than one wall surface of rectangular boxes or containers so that such markings will be visible from in front of a shelf or rack on which the boxes are stored without regard to the directions in which the boxes face for easily identifying the contents of the boxes. Heretofore, it has been the usual procedure to mark the sides of the boxes or containers during the movement of the latter along a first conveyor, and then to transfer the boxes to a second conveyor arranged at right angles to the first and along which the boxes are conveyed with their end, or front and back, walls parallel to the direction of travel so that the end walls can be marked from locations at the sides ofthe second conveyor during the travel of the boxes along the latter. However, any arrangement of the kind described above is complex and correspondingly expensive in that it includes two conveyors arranged at right angles and separate devices for marking the side walls and for marking the end, or front and back walls, of the boxes.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a single device for automatically marking the front and side walls of successive rectangular boxes or containers as the latter are conveyed past the marking device along a rectilinear path.

Another object is to provide a marking device of the described character which operates smoothly and with a minimum of shocks and impacts so that it may be continuously operated without requiring extensive servicing or the replacementof parts.

Still another object is to provide a marking device of the described character; wherein a rotatable marking roller or wheel is employed for marking the front and side walls of the successive boxes or containers, and the device is constructed so that a major portion of the periphery of the marking wheel effects rolling and mark ing contact with the front and side walls of each of the successive boxes.

A further object is to provide a marking device having the foregoing characteristics and wherein the marking Wheel is automatically returned to its starting or initial position during the final period of contact of the marking wheel with each of the successive boxes so that the marking Wheel is thereby repositioned for initial contact with the succeeding box on the conveyor.

The above, and other, objects, features and advantages of the present invention are achieved by providing an arm pivotally mounted adjacent one end for swinging about a vertical axis disposed at one side of a conveyor moving successive rectangular boxes or containers along a rectilinear path. The pivoted arm extends generally in the direction of movement of the boxes and is bent' intermediate its ends toward the path of movement of the boxes. A marking wheel or roller having marking United States Patent elements on its periphery is mounted on the free end of the pivoted arm for rotation about a vertical axis, and two oppositely acting and adjustable springs are connected to the pivoted arm and yieldably urge the latter to a position in which the marking wheel is interposed in the path of travel of the boxes on the conveyor. Thus, as each box is conveyed along the path of travel, the front wall of the box contacts the marking wheel and pushes against the latter to cause swinging of the pivoted arm in the direction away from the conveyor and rolling of the marking wheel across the front surface of the box to apply markings to that front surface. As the movement of the box continues, the marking wheel rolls around the front corner of the box. and then rolls along the side wall surface of the box. The marking wheel is formed with a flattened peripheral portion to slidably contact the side wall surface of the box after marking of the latter has been completed and thereby establish the position of the marking wheel for initial contact with the box next in line on the conveyor. In order to avoid rotation of the marking wheel during the final contact thereof with a box, a retaining bar is adjustably carried by the pivoted arm and extends from the free end of the latter beyond the periphery of the marking wheel to contact the box in sliding contact with the flattened portion of the marking wheel and to prevent inward swinging of the pivoted arm until the box which has been marked has completely cleared the marking wheel. When the marked box has moved out of contact with the retaining bar, the pivoted arm is resiliently returned to its original position with the marking wheel again interposed in the path of travel of the boxes on the conveyor.

In order that the present invention may be fully understood, an illustrative embodiment thereof is hereinafter described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a marking device embodying the present invention and shown in marking contact with the front Wall surface of a box illustrated in broken lines soon after initial contact with the box has been effected;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, but on a reduced scale, and showing the relation of the marking device to the box during a later phase in the marking cycle;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the relation of the marking device to the box during a subsequent phase in the marking cycle;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the relation of the marking device to the box during a still later phase in the marking cycle;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view, on the same scale as Figs. 3 to 5, and showing the relation of certain elements of the marking device to a marked box during the final contact with the latter; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the illustrated elements of the marking device returned to a starting position preparatory to marking a box next in. line.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, a marking device embdoying the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The marking device 10 includes a support base 12 which is suitably mountedv to one side of a conveyor 14, shown in broken lines and forming no part of the present invention. The conveyor 14 is of conventional construction and operates to move successive rectangular boxes or containers 16 along a horizontal rectilinear path.

A standard or post 18 extends upwardly from the base 12 and a horizontal support arm, generally identified by. the reference numeral 24 is secured on the post 18 in a individual pieces 'of type vertically adjusted position. The support arm 26 includes separable portions 22 and 24 defining a split collar 26 at their confronting ends to embrace the post 18 and secured together by suitable-means, for example, the bolts 28, to clamp the post within the collar 26. The portion 22 of the support arm extends toward the conveyor 14 and is generally normal to the latter, with the width of the portion 22 preferably increasing toward the free end. The major portion of the free end edge 30 of the support arm 20 extends parallel to the path of travel of the containers 16 and the support arm 20 is dimensioned so that the successive containers slide along a bearer strip 32 on the edge 30 as the containers pass the marking device 16. Preferably, the end portion of the edge 30, with which the containers first come in contact, is inclined or bevelled, as at 34, to prevent the catching of the containers on the corner of the support arm.

A bolt 36, forming a pivot, extends upwardly from the support arm portion 22 adjacent the free end of the latter, and an arm, generally referred to by the numeral 36, is pivotally mounted on the bolt 36 for swinging in a horizontal plane. The pivoted arm 38 includes two angularly related, integral portions 46 and 42, and the arm portion 40 is formed with two spaced bosses 44 and 46 and another relatively large boss 48 located midway between the bosses 44- and 46 and formed with a bushed bore receiving the pivot bolt 36. Thus, the pivoted arm 38 is supported adjacent one end and extends generally in the direction of movement of the containers, as indicated by the arrow 50 on Fig. l, with the arm portion 42 being bent relative to the arm portion 46 in the direction toward the conveyor 14 to project into the path of travel of the containers 16 when the arm portion 46) is parallel to the path of travel of the containers.

At its free end, the arm portion 42 rotatably supports a marking wheel or roller 52 there'below for rotation of the latter about a vertical axis. The marking wheel 52 is formed in any suitable manner to support a marking element 54 on a major portion of the periphery thereof, and the marking element 54 may be made up of one or more or of a logotype. A portion of the periphery of the marking wheel 52 is flattened, as at 56, for a purpose hereinafter described in detail. When an inked impression is to be applied to the successive containers, an inking roller 58 is rotatably mounted below the arm portion 42 in rolling contact with the marking element 54 on the marking wheel for applying ink to the surface of the marking element, and an ink reservoir 6!) is mounted on the arm portion 42 for supplying ink to the roller 58. Preferably, the inking roller 58 is provided with a porous, for example, felt, outer cover, and the ink is delivered from the reservoir 60 to the interior of the roller 58, from whence it passes radially outward into the felt cover.

A bumper or stop 62, preferably encased in a rubber or other resilient sleeve, extends upwardly from the support arm portion 22 adjacent the free end edge 30 of the latter to limit the swinging of the pivoted arm 33 in the direction projecting the arm portion 42 of the latter across the path of travel of the containers 16. The pivote. arm 38 is resiliently urged to a position in which the arm portion 42 projects across the path of travel of the containers and, in accordance with the present invention, this resilient force is applied to the pivoted arm 38 by two balanced coil springs 64 and 66. The springs 64 and 66 are respectively stretched between two anchoring pins 68 and 79 extending from the bosses 44 and 46, respectively, of the pivoted arm portion 42, and adjustable anchors 72 and 74, in the form of bolts threadably extending through an upstanding flange 76 on the support arm portion 24. The adjustable anchor bolts 72 and 74 are preferably held in their adjusted positions by lock nuts 78 threaded thereon to bear against the flange 76. It is apparent that, by threadably adjusting the anchor bolts 72 and 74 relative to the flange 76, the relative tensions in the springs 64 7 holding the pivoted arm "38 in a predetermined position relative to the adjacent conveyor.

The marking device embodying the present invention is completed by a retaining bar 80 extending longitudinally and adjustably beyond the free end of the pivoted arm portion 42 at the side of the latter facing in the direction of movement of the containers, and the retaining bar 80 is formed with a bent end portion 82, all for a purpose hereinafter described in detail. In order to provide for longitudinal adjustment of the retaining bar 80 relative to the pivoted arm portion 42, the bar 80 is preferably formed with an elongated, longitudinal slot 80 (Fig. 1) and two bolts 86 extend through the 'slot 84 and are tapped into a pad 88 formed on the arm portion 42.

The above described marking device operates as follows:

The relative tensions of the springs 64 and 66 are adjusted by manipulation of the anchor bolts 72 and 74, respectively, to yieldably hold the pivoted arm 38 in a position in which the periphery of the marking wheel 52 contacts the front wall surface of 'a container moving thereagainst at a location on that front wall adjacent the side remote from the base 12 supporting the marking device. Further, the marking wheel 52 is initially rotatably positioned so that the first contact with the container 16 is effected at a location on the periphery of marking wheel immediately after the flattened peripheral portion 56. Thus, as a container 16 is conveyed past the bearer strip 32 on the support arm 20, the front surface of the container will push against the marking wheel 52, as in Fig. 1, which shows the relationship of the marking device 10 to a containersoon after the front surface of the latter has first contacted the marking wheel. As the container continues to move in the direction of the arrow 50, it tends to push the pivoted arm 38 to the side against the yieldable opposition of the springs 64 and 66, and the latter pivots about the pivot bolt 36 in the direction of the arrow 83 on Fig. 1. Since the marking wheel 52 is in rolling contact with the front face of the container 16, the swinging of the arm 38 causes the wheel 52 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 90 and roll across the front face of the container toward the side of the latter closest to the supporting base 12 of the marking device, and the element 54 on the periphery of the wheel 52 applies an inked, or other, impression across the front wall surface of the container. As the container 16 continues to move in the direction indicated by the arrow 50, the marking wheel 52 reaches the side edge 'or corner of the front wall surface of the container closest to the base or support of the marking device, as shown in Fig. 3, and then the marking wheel rolls around this corner and effects rolling contact with the adjacent side wall surface of the container 16, as shown in Fig. 4. The springs 64 and 66 then act on the pivoted arm 38 in the direction maintaining the marking wheel 52 in rolling and marking. contact with the side wall surface of the container to apply the marking to the side Wall surface. As the movement of the container continues, the marking wheel 52 is rotated through the final phases of almost a 360 degree displacement from its original position and the flattened peripheral portion 56 of the wheel comes into contact with the side wall surface of the marked container, as shown in Fig. 5. When the flattened peripheral portion 56 of the marking wheel- Fig. 5. Thus, the retaining bar 86 prevents swinging of the arm 38 in the directiontoward the conveyor 14 so long as the foot 82 is in contact withthe side wall surface of the marked container. The retaining bar 80 and its foot 82 are long enough to prevent inward swinging of the pivoted arm 38 until the marked container has moved out of contact with the marking wheel, as in Fig. 6. This action of the retaining bar 89 ensures that the marking wheel will not roll around the rear corner of the container during the final engagement with the latter and thereby avoids the rotation of the marking wheel which would attend such rolling of the wheel around the rear corner of the marked container. When the marked container 16 finally moves out of the range of the retaining bar foot 82, the springs 64 and 66 are then free to swing the arm 38 in the direction of the arrow 92 on Fig. 7 to again dispose the marking wheel 52 in its initial position in the path of the successive containers carried by the conveyor 14. During the return swinging of the arm '38 in the direction of the arrow 92, the arm 38 strikes against the stop or bumper 62, however, the balancing action of the two springs 64 and 66, acting in opposition to each other, tends to reduce the severity of the impact of the arm 38 against the bumper, thereby reducing the Wear on the parts and the necessity for frequent replacement. Further, the action of the retaining bar 80 in preventing rotation of the marking wheel 52, in the manner described above, ensures that the peripheral portion of the marking wheel 52 immediately after the flattened portion 66 will again be positioned for initial contact with the container 16a next in line on the conveyor. Thus, substantially all of the periphery of the marking wheel, with the exception of the flattened portion 56, can be used to carry marking elements thereby increasing the length of the markings that can be applied to the front and side surfaces of the containers.

It is apparentthat the vertical locations of the markings applied to the front and side wall surfaces of the successive containers can be varied by adjusting the support arm 28 vertically on the supporting stanchion or post 18, and that the starting point of the markings on the front wall surfaces of the successive containers can be varied merely by adjusting the relative tensions in the springs 64 and 66 to vary the return position (Fig. 7) in lateral relation to the conveyor 14 and the boxes or containers thereon.

Further, While the illustrated embodiment of the invention operates to mark only the front wall surface and one side wall surface of each of the successive boxes or containers on the conveyor, it is to be understood that a marking device embodying the present invention, and which is a mirror image of the one described in detail herein, can be disposed at the other side of the conveyor to mark the front Wall surface and the other side Wall surface of each of the boxes or containers.

While an illustrative example of the invention has been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications, obvious to one skilled in the art, may be effected therein Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A marking device for association with a conveyor carrying successive rectangular containers past the device to apply markings to the front wall surface and a side wall surface of each of the successive containers; said marking device comprising support means adapted to be mounted adjacent one side of the associated conveyor, 21 pivoted arm swingably mounted adjacent one end on said support means for horizontal swinging and extending from the latter generally in the direction of movement of the conveyor, two balanced springs each connected between said support means and said pivoted arm at locations on the latter disposed at opposite sides of the swinging axis of the pivoted arm and acting to yieldably urge the latter to an inner position determined by the balancing of the forces exerted by said springs and in which the free end of said pivoted arm extends across the path of travel of the containers on the conveyor, and a marking wheel mounted on said free end of the pivoted arm for rotation about a vertical axis so that the front wall of each successive container engages said marking wheel and pushes against the latter to swing said pivoted arm away from said inner position to the side of the path of travel at which said support means is located while said marking wheel rolls across the front Wall surface and along the side wall surface of the container which is adjacent the support means to apply markings to said surfaces, said marking wheel having a flattened peripheral portion so that the marking Wheel is rotated by rolling contact first with the front wall surface and then with the side wall surface of the container being marked until said flattened peripheral portion of the marking wheel comes into contact with the side wall surface and prevents further rotation of the marking Wheel; and further comprising a retaining bar extending longitudinally from said free end of the pivoted arm and projecting beyond the periphery of said marking wheel to slidably engage the side wall surface of the marked container when said flattened peripheral portion of the marking wheel engages the side wall surface, so that said retaining bar prevents return of said pivoted arm to its inner position until the marked container has moved out of contact with said marking wheel thereby avoiding rotation of the latter from the position established by contact of the flattened peripheral portion with the side wall surface of the marked container, said retaining bar being formed with an elongated longitudinal slot therein, and securing bolts extending through said slot and tapped into the free end portion of said pivoted arm to secure said retaining bar to said pivoted arm in a longitudinally adjustable manner for varying the projection of said retaining bar beyond the periphery of said marking Wheel.

2. A marking device according to claim 1; wherein said retaining bar is formed with a laterally bent foot at the free end thereof and extending parallel to said flattened peripheral portion of the marking wheel when said flattened portion is in contact with the side wall surface of a marked container so that said foot of the retaining bar effects facial contact with the side wall surface of the marked container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jan. 5, 1954 

